Computerworld, January 10Expertise in mobile, Web development and big data will be much sought-after by IT hiring managers in 2014. Software development clients are especially interested in Web developers who have Java skills or Ruby and Python development backgrounds. In the mobile space, experience with developing for Apple's iOS leads the way, followed by demand for Google Android and Windows Phone. With data analysis driving corporate spending, up-and-coming IT roles include data engineers and data scientists.Tech hiring in 2014 will also include filling more traditional roles beyond just the most in-demand jobs. For example, companies are looking for people with software quality assurance backgrounds as they attempt to add those positions after cutting them during the recession. IT security followed the same pattern and employers are now encountering a lack of security talent. Skills involving network administration, Windows administration and desktop support will be in demand in 2014. In addition, the stronger economy will mean an increase in project manager and business analyst hiring as companies add or expand projects to handle the work uptick.However, this need for tech talent also contributes to the industry's hiring struggles. IT's low unemployment rate, generally agreed to be between 3 and 3.5 percent, indicates that a majority of IT workers have jobs since hiring professionals view 2 percent unemployment as full employment. By comparison, the overall U.S. unemployment rate for December was 6.7 percent. The demand for tech workers may grow stronger in 2014: Salaries are rising, reflecting the supply and demand in the marketplace.Full Article

InfoWorld (02/03/14) Peter Wayner Forecasting the next hit technology is challenging due to the rapid pace of change, but InfoWorld offers 12 predictions for the future of programming over the next five years. One prediction is that the graphics processing unit (GPU) will take center stage from the central processing unit, as applications are increasingly written to use the parallel architecture of GPUs. In addition, databases are likely to manage increasingly advanced analysis, running more sophisticated algorithms on tables, searching more efficiently for data patterns, and carrying out big data tasks. Javascript and Android will grow more and more dominant in programming. The Internet of Things will increase the number of new programming platforms, with automobiles being the most significant. Open source code will continue to present a challenge in finding the revenue to support development. WordPress Web applications will proliferate, as dominant frameworks offer functionality that makes it unnecessary to create apps from scratch. Plug-ins will increasingly supplant full-fledged programs. The command line will remain relevant because it is too flexible and universal to be replaced, and it will continue to work with modern tools. Both outsourcing and insourcing will continue, as work is outsourced to reduce costs but also performed by new automated tools.